Even in the last week of June, the catchment areas of the lakes have not yet received heavy rainfall. At present, the seven lakes that supply water to the city have only 12 per cent water storage including reserves provided by the state government.
As the stock will be depleted by next month, the municipal administration is likely to cut water by 10 per cent in Mumbai which might come into effect from July 1.
The city requires a total of 14.47 lakh million liters (ml) of water storage in the seven lakes on October 1, which is enough for one year. However, as on Monday, June 26, the total water storage in the city was 95,123 Dalghmi (6.57 per cent).
The provision of reserve stock of 1.5 lakh million liters in Bhatsa and Upper Vaitrana lakes by the state government will help the municipality to supply water till the end of July.
Water cuts will be the last resort as the municipality fails to develop other sources of water supply. The water department has prepared a proposal for 10 per cent water reduction from July 1, and it will be implemented after the approval of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal.
P. Velarasu, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects), said, "A proposal is under consideration which will come into effect from July 1. A final decision is yet to be taken."
Last year around the same time, the civic body had imposed a 10% water cut due to depletion of water storage in the lakes, which was later withdrawn.
In August 2020, the city faced water shortages due to low levels in the catchment areas of the lakes due to lack of rainfall. A 10% water reduction was achieved from November 2018 to July 2019, 20% in 2016 and 25% in 2014.
The seven lakes that supply water to the city are Tansa, Modak Sagar, Bhatsa, Upper Vaitrana, Vihar, Tulsi, Middle Vaitrana.
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